2010 West Virginia Champion

Monday, March 15, 2010

Danielle was a typical 10-year-old when she got the news that would change her life forever.

In June 2009, doctors at West Virginia University Children’s Hospital told Danielle and her parents that she had been living with a brain tumor since birth.

For several years leading up to the diagnosis, Danielle was constantly thirsty. Doctors checked her for diabetes and mononucleosis. The results of multiple tests came back normal. However, Danielle’s mom knew something just wasn’t right. She insisted that further tests be done.

Her family doctor noticed Danielle’s sodium and potassium levels were a little low and immediately referred her to specialists at West Virginia University Children’s Hospital. While at the hospital, Danielle underwent an MRI, which resulted in the discovery of a germinoma brain tumor she had been living with her whole life. In order to shrink the tumor, she began chemotherapy and radiation treatments immediately.

Two, three-day rounds of chemotherapy and 20 radiation treatments later, Danielle, 11, is miraculously tumor-free for the first time in her life. She’s now back to doing what she loves—spending time with her family and friends and playing with her cats and dogs.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Wal-Mart has supported Children’s Miracle Network since 1987. Since then, Children’s Miracle Network and Wal-Mart have worked tirelessly together to help children by raising money for children’s hospitals. Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, customers and members have raised more than $500 million for children’s hospitals during the 23 year relationship. This is the second year Walmart and Sam’s Club have sponsored the Champions program.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club is a Children's Miracle Network program that brings attention to the important work being done at children’s hospitals by honoring remarkable children who have faced severe medical challenges.

The Champions program designates a champion child in every state who has bravely battled a serious injury or illness. The champions represent the nearly 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals every year. The 2010 champions have dealt with a wide variety of injuries and illnesses including genetic diseases, heart transplants and traumas, as well as life-threatening staph infections.

As part of Champions presented by Walmart and Sam’s Club, the champions travel for a week in June to Washington, D.C., where champions traditionally meet with their state senators on Capitol Hill, and the President of the United States during a visit to the White House. The family then travels to Orlando, Fla., for a second week in November. There, champions meet Children’s Miracle Network sponsor, hospital and media partners who all convene to celebrate a year of medical miracles during the Children’s Miracle Network Celebration event at Walt Disney World Resort.

Danielle, Age 11

West Virginia University Children's Hospital

Walmart and Sam's Club have raised and contributed $500 million for Children's Miracle Network hospitals since 1987. Please visit Walmart or Sam's Club between May 1 and May 31 and make a donation to your Children's Miracle Network hospital.